Pipe wrapping machine



Jan. 14, 1936 L. s. ROSENER 2,027,704

PIPE WRAPPING MACHINE Filed- Jan. 14, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 2 OSE/YEE H IS ATTORNEY 1936- L. s, ROSEN'ER PIPE WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 14, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wdfvgm umm ms ATTORNEY .Patented Jan. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4, 2,027,704 PIPE WRAPPING MACHINE Application January 14, 1930, Serial No. 420,711

1 Claim.

My invention relates to a machine for wrapping cylindrical bodies, and one of the objects of the invention is the provision of a machine for wrapping a protective strip of material about a pipe of a pipe line already laid or connected ready for laying. t

Another object of the invention is the provision of a pipe wrapping machine by 'which a protective strip is wrapped about a fixed pipe;

and embodying means for applying an adhesive and waterproof fiuid to hold the latter in place, thus sealing the pipe with an impervious covering which is water and'decay-proof.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in a machine of the character described, of improved winding means for wrapping a pipe, including a plurality of supplyrolls of wrapping material so that several layers of the covering material may be applied in one operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a plurality of spaced wrapping supply rolls so positioned to counterbalance each other to effect smooth operation of the winding means.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a winding means having a plurality of wrapping supply rolls so that a comparatively large amount of pipe may be wrapped before replenishing the wrapping material.

I Another object of the invention is the provision of improved means for holding the supply rolls of wrapping material during operation of the machine, so that the supply rolls may be quickly and conveniently placed on the machine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved means for applying fluid to the wrapping strips of each roll of material, to insure that the strips adhere to the pipe all the way around.

A further object of the invention is the prod0 vision of improved means for mounting the machine on the pipe to be wrapped.

A still further object of the invention is'the provision of a wrapping machine in which the rolls of wrapping strip are rotated bodily about the pipe, requiring but a narrow space about the pipe in which to operate.

a The invention possesses numerous other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of my invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing the wrapping machine of my invention in position for applying a wrapping strip on a pipe line. Portions of the structure are omitted to show clearly the construction.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the machine, the view being taken in the direction of arrow 2 of Figure l. Portions of the structure are omitted to shorten the View.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken in a plane 10 indicated by line 3-3 of Figure 1. Portions of the structure are omitted to shorten the view.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the machine; portions are shown in section to disclose clearly the construction, and some of the structure is omitted to shorten the view.

Figure 5 is an elevational view, partially in section, showing one of the fluid distributor heads, the view being taken in the direction of arrow 5 of Figure 1. 20

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken in a plane indicated by line 6-6 of Figure 4.

The application of protective coverings to intalled pipe lines presents many grave difficulties. The fact that the .pipe is buried in the-ground, 25 and necessarily involves expensive excavation, invites a device for applying the covering that requires a minimum removal of earth. Since the wrapping material is passed around the pipe toeifect the wrapping, it is obvious that the 30 space required for the wrapping means should be kept within a small radius about the pipe.

On the other hand, the space reduction is duly limited, because it is desirable to carry an ample supply of the wrapping. material on the 35 wrapping means, so that the process of wrapping will be continuous as far as such is possible.

'Ihe device of the herein disclosed invention is operable in. a small space about the pipe, and

at the same time is able to carry a sufiicient 4=0 supply of wrapping material to wrap a comparatively long distance of pipe before having to replenish the supply. Furthermore, the device is capable of wrapping the pipe at a faster rate than heretofore possible. 45

In broadly descriptive terms, the wrapping machine of my invention comprises a frame, provided. with means for supporting it upon a pipe to be wrapped. A rotor, upon which a quantity of wrapping material is held in rolls, 0 is journaled on the frame. Preferably, the wrapping rolls are mounted for orbital rotation about the pipe; and means are provided for simultaneously rotating the rolls to wind the strip about the pipe and to advance the frame 55 as hot bituminous substance.

.their contact to insurethat the strips adhere to the pipe. In order to maintain thebituminous compound in fluid condition, heating means are provided'therefor.

In greater detail, the wrapping machine of my invention comprises a frame 2, provided with pairs beveled and spaced rollers 3 for supporting the frame on pipe l'which is to be wrapped. Rollers 3 are fixedly mounted on shaft 6 which in turn are'journaled on the frame in any suitable bearin'gs 1. It is to be noted that rollers 3 are mounted so that their beveled faces are inwardly adjacent, and that the space between the rollers of each pair is substantially equal to the diameter of the pipe, thus permitting a stable support for the frame. Furthermore, as the frame rides on a pipe which is being wrapped,

' the rollers serve not only to support the frame,

but also to prevent lateral displacementthereof. Extending laterally from the frame is a vertically adjustable arm 8 carrying a wheel 9 adapted to rest on planks ll, temporarily arranged at the side of the pipe line ditch. The dirt at the side of the ditch may be leveled off to provide an approximately true surface on which the planks ll may be conveniently laid. This insures travel of the machine along the pipe without danger of tipping over.

Journaled in suitable bearings l2 on frame 2, is a shaft I3 driven through gears H by engine l6, which is mounted on the frame and is preferably an internal combustion engine of any known or suitable construction. The engine may be disconnected according to well known practice by means'of the clutch ll, of any known or suitable construction, and which may be operated by the handle 18.

Splined on shaft l3 and movable therealon by means of the hand wheel operated feed screws I9 is a friction wheel 2| adapted to engage the friction disk 22. A shaft 23 journaled on the frame in a suitable bearing 24, and on one end of-which is splined the friction disk, has positioned therearound a spring 25. com ressed between bearing 24 and friction disk 22. The spring. thus. resiliently holdsthe friction d sk against friction wheel 2|.

Shaft 23 is connected by. gears 21 with the forward roller shaft 6. .Thus, it is seen that engine IE will effect a rotation of the forward rollers to advance the machine along the pipe when clutch I1 is engaged. The speed ofthis movement, relative to the main shaft I3, is adjustably controlled by moving the friction wheel across thejace of the friction disk.

Fixed for rotation on the main shaft I2 is a pinion 28- in mesh with the gear 29, carried by theshaft'3l 'journaled in bearings 32 on the frame. -Shaft 3|, at the end opposite to that .70

adjacent the main shaft, carries a pinion 33 in mesh with an annular gear 34.' This annular gear is formed as an end flange integral with Y the rotor 36, and is providedwith a removable gear section 34' which is formed integral with the corresponding removable rotor section 36'.

The rotor is journaled in a bearing 31 comprising an upper section rigidly connected to the frame by means of integrally formed flanges 38 and suitable fasteners, such as bolts 39; and a removable lower bearing section 31' is secured to the upper section by bolts ll passing through the abutting flanges 38'and 42. Rotor 36 is also provided with a'flange 43 at the end opposite the gear 34; and the arcuate sections of I the rotor are removably held together by dove- It is thus seen gear, and the bearing are provided with removable sections, so that the'machine'may be let down over the pipe; and when the machine is on the pipe, these sections may be fixedly assembled.

Means are provided for journaling a plurality of rolls of wrapping material on rotor 36, ,so that when the frame is moved longitudinally of the pipe and the rotor, revolved, the rolls are moved orbitally about the pipe to wrap the ma terial thereon in spirals. Preferably there are two of these rolls mounted diammetrically opposite on the rotor, although it is obvious that more may be added thereby makingit possible to wrap several layers'of covering material on the pipe in one operation. The-wrapping roll mounting means for each roll is the same, hence it is necessary only to describe one such mounting.

Extending from a section of the 'rotor is a forked bracket 46 in which is journaled' a worm 41, and on which is journaled a pin 48 which can'ies for pivotal movement a spool bracket 49 including a worm gear segment 50 in mesh with worm 41. It is obvious, that by applying a suitable tool to. the squared end 5| of'worm l1 and turning it, the wrapping reel may be adjusted at any desired angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, in accordance with the desired spiral of the wrapping. x Spool bracket 49 has a stud 52 formed thereon which provided a jour-' nal for the spool 53,'upon which is wound a roll of wrapping material 54.

For applying tension to thespool in order that the roll may unwind evenly, a washer 56 is caused to bear against the spool by a spring 51 surrounding the stud and interposed between the washer and lock nut 58 threaded on the free end of stud 52.

A bracket 59 carrying astud so, mounted at right angles to the bracket and parallel to the stud 52, is fixed on the pin 48 for pivotal movement together with a spool bracket 49, so that arm of each roll is adjustable simultaneously,

with the roll, and is always parallel therewith. The above construction keeps the rolls within a'minimum distance around the pipe, and hence tion of the machine. Furthermore, the relation between each roll and-its wrapping arm is'flxed and consequently is always maintained in proper operative alignment; and since the wrapping reduces the excavation required for the operaarm isadjusted simultaneously with the roll, only one adjustment is necessary for each roll to accord with the winding pitch of the wraprolls about the pipe, and the rate of travel of the machine along the pipe. The orbital movement of the winding means is made up of these two movements; one of rotation, and the other of translation. The pitch of the winding is determined by the relation between these movements, and applicant has provided means for varying that relationship by changing the translational movement, viz changing the rate of travel of the machine.- By increasing the speed of the machine, and properly adjusting the angle between the axes of the rolls and the pipe axis, the pitch of the wrapping is increased. The degree of pitch for any particular wrapping will depend upon three factors, viz the width of the winding strips, the number of wrapping rolls, and the amount of overlap of the adjacent spirals in the winding. Where two rolls are used, as shown in the preferred embodiment oi the invention, each roll provides an alternate wrap in the winding; and it is to be noted that, for a given pitch, the two rolls double the speed of the machine over that of a single roll. Hence by adding one roll to the winding means, the time required to cover a given length of pipe would be halved. In a like manner, four rolls would reduce the time to one-quarter.

Furthermore, by properly adjusting the relation between the translational and rotational movements, viz by varying the speed of the machine along the pipe, one wrapping strip'may' be applied directly over the other to produce a double layer covering in one operation; In a like manner more layers may be applied to a pipe in one operation with a machine having a greater number of rolls.

Means are provided for applying a fluid material to cement the wrappings to the pipe. Preferably, the means are arranged to apply the fluid between each strip of wrapping and the pipeadjacent the point of contact of the wrapping and the pipe, so that the engaging surfaces of pipe and wrapping are flooded with fluid at the instant of their contact.

This mode of applying the fluid insures that the wrapping and pipe are thoroughly covered with fluid and that the wrapping adheres to the pipe all the wayjaround. Any cementitious fluid may beused but a bituminous or 'asphaltic composition, of suitable grade and melting point, and heated to give fluidity, is preferred because asphalt is highlyv resistant to decay, is water and acid-proof and is extremely durable.

The rotor 36 .is provided with a flange S2 spaced inwardly of flange 43 to form anannular U-shaped trough 63 closed'at its outer periphery by bearing 31. A pipe leading from a tank 66, in which the fluid is held, terminates in bearing 31, so'that fluid may flow through the pipe to flll the trough 63. A suitable drain plug 65 is provided in the side of trough 63, to permit draining thereof when necessary.

It is desirable to heat the fluid so that it may 5 flow freely; and for this purpose, it is preferred to utilize the exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine l6. Surrounding the fluid trough63 and formed in bearing 31 is an annular passage 61, through which pipe 64 passes, and which communicates with conduit 68, surrounding pipe 64' and leading into tank jacket 69. Hot exhaust gases from the engine are led, by means of the insulated pipe H, into passage 61 which is divided by baflle 12; hence, the gases are caused to flow completely around passage 61, out through conduit 68 on the other side of the baflle, into jacket 69, and then through outlet 13 which communicates with the atmosphere.

For discharging the fluid to cement together 20 the pipe and wrapping, a distributor pipe 14, extending from the end of rotor 36 and communicating with fluid trough B3, is provided for each roll of wrapping. As shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 5, the free end of the distribu- 25 tor is positioned between the pipe and wrapping, and is provided with a slot i6 communicating with the substantially flat distributor head I! formed on the end of the distributor p p so The distributor rotates with a lunar or orbital motion about the pipe; and the mouth of the distributor head is positioned closely adjacent the line of contact of pipe and wrapping, so that the wrapping is drawn over the edge of the 35 distributor head adjacent its mouth just before engagement with the pipe.

shaped space between pipe and wrapping material, adjacent the mouth of the distributor is filled with fluid, which a fraction of a second later is caught under the wrapping strip as it is pulled tightly about the pipe.

For controlling, the flow of fluid into the distributor head, a cylindrical gate 18 having a slot 19 adapted to register with the slot 16, is provided. The gate may be opened or closed by means of a handle 82 on the stem 83, fixed to the end of the gate and projecting through the end of the distributor pipe. A spring 84, surrounding the stem and interposed between the handle 82 and the distributor pipe, is provided to hold the gate in the desired position. 7

If the machine is to be used at such temperatures that cooling of the bituminous compound occurs in the feed pipe and distributor head, it may be desirable to heat these parts with a torch prior to starting operations. In a similar manner, ,the distributor head valve may be made operative if clogged with cold material.

In startingthe wrapping operation after the machine is assembled on the pipe, the ends of rolls of materialare cemented on the pipe by a small quantity of the fiuid and wound around the pipe a few convolutions; each roll making an alternate wrapin the winding, The rolls are then placed on their respective journals and only a momentary interruption of the o on said drum at one side thereof, operative contion. nections to actuate said wheels and said drum.

I claim: from said motor, and means carried by the A P p pp machine having in comblna-' frame for applying a liquid coating to said pipe tion a frame, mounted to travel along a pipe, prior to the wrapping material being appliedto 5 traction wheels engaging said pipe to propel said .said pipe, frame, a motor 'on 'said frame, a drum rotatable Y LELAND S. ROSENER. about said pipe, a spool 01 wrapping material 

